Turner
enclosure



D. V. TURNER May 18, 1965 ENCLOSURE Filed March 18, 1964 INVENTOR. DAVD V. TURNER Dina ATTORNEYS United States Patent 9 3,133,527 ENCLOSURE David V. Turner, Lakeside, Ohio (RR. 1, Box 374i,

Forest Park Estates, Port Clinton, Ghio) Filed Mar. 18, 1964, Ser. No. 352,887 11 (Jlaims. (Cl. --98) The present invention relates to an article of manufacture of utility as an enclosure for confining a baby, a pet or for protecting an item from external harm.

More particularly, the present invention envisions a unitary, flexible article which, on the one hand, is adapted to be easily packed and, on the other hand, is easily as sembled with an existing structure, such as a card table, to thereby convert the structure into a restraining enclosure; the most common of which is the well-known playpen.

Restraining enclosures of this and similar types are, of course, Well known in the art and a variety of such units are on the market serving as temporary or permanent pens for babies and small children who cannot safely be allowed to roam at will. As applied to humans, such an enclosure for children is commonly referred to in the art as a playpen. A variety of these so-called playpens are presently on the market in the form of permanent or foldable units composed of a base having connected supporting legs and connected side walls formed usually of rigid upstanding rods or bars; the Walls frequently being foldably connected to each other in accordian style for easy storage. Other units frequently comprise a base, connected legs and rigid corner post elements connected by a flexible net-like array or fence.

Easy portability and minimum space storage is a much desiredfeature and, as indicated, various techniques for accomplishing foldability of the structures have been advanced for accomplishing same.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and novel approach for furnishing a reliable enclosure at a minimum of expense; the enclosure being portable and capable of storage in a minimum of space;

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an article of manufacture in the nature .of a kit-which is ideally suited for converting an existing structure such as a table, e.g., a bridge or card table, into an enclosure 1 for confining a baby, pet or the like.

It is additionally an object of the present invention.

to provide a conversion unit which can be manufactured relatively cheaply and yet possesses, by reason of the novel features of construction, a unique capability of combining with an existing table construction as to thereby transform the existing table structure, when inverted, into a restraining enclosure, e.g., playpen, for children.

The foregoing as well as other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the annexed sheets of drawing on which there is presented, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. -1 is a perspective view of an article in the nature of a cylindrical net-like structure representing a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially broken away, of a conventional card'or bridge table in inverted position and having assembled therewith the article illustrated in FIG. 1; and also serving to illustrate another embodiment of the present invention. 1

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the combination shown in FIG. 2 collapsed into a position lending portability and minimum-space storage.

The present invention contemplates a unique combina tion of elements including a cylindricalunit of a flexible,

3,l83,527 Patented May 18, 1%65 net-like wall structure, a plurality of means connected to one end thereof for engaging the terminal portions of the legs of an existing table, or similar structure, and also including, at the other end of the net-like array, a cinching arrangement whereby the circumference or diameter at such end may be restricted.

The invention also envisions the combination of the unit just described with an existing table bearing a plurality of legs normally used to support the table in an upright position but having utility in the framework of the present invention in the inverted position to thereby define the perimeter or boundaries of the enclosure envisioned by the present invention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 a cylindrical unit 11 composed of an interwoven network of strands 11a terminating in an upper end 12 and a lower end 13. The strands making up the net-like cylinder can be fabricated, of course, of a variety of natural fibers or fabrics, synthetics, leather and the like. The important aspect is that the cylindrical unit 11 be flexible and thereby foldable. The network, most preferably, is so fabricated that the voids 14 between the crisscross or interwoven strands 11a are realtively small whereby the head of a child or a pet could not penetrate them whereby entanglement and even strangulation is avoided. The upper end 12 of the cylindrical net-like construction 11 bears a plurality of spaced Snood like elements 16. These are individually afiixed to the net and'have an open lower end 17 adapted to receive the upper terminus of leg 18 of table 19 (FIG-2). Four of such elements 16 are illustrated since a 4-legged table is most conventional. The end 13 of the cylindrical network opposite the snood bearing end 12 is so constructed that it is of variable circumference by reason of the draw string 21, having proximate ends 21a and 21b as shown in FIG. 1. The exertion'of tension on these. ends 21a and 21b constricts the end 13 as at 20 to a circumference less than that of the platform 19a of table 19. The ends 21a and 2112 may be secured in this position of tension by tying, whereby the net-like cylinder will assume an upright taut position as shown in FIG. 2. The unit 11may be combined with the unit 19 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2. Thus, the cylindrical net 11 is located to surround the legs 22 of the card table 19 in such fashion that the snood elements telescope down upon the four corner legs 18 (only 3 shown for clarity of illustration). When the lower end 13 of the flexible cylinder has descended below the plane of the platform 1911, the ends 21 are pulled tight, cinching the end 13 so as to describe a circumference less than the perimeter of the table 19, whereby the device 11 defines an upstanding rectangular fence-like structure 30 surrounding the legs 18-. The cinching of end 13 via draw string 21 also pulls the snoods snugly down over the legs 18 as shown.

If the table is a conventional folding type card table, it may be folded into storage position by the relative folding of the legs into the proximity with the perimetric edges defining the table platform 19a. The exact details of the folding and hinge arrangement need not be disclosed since such is well understood. When the legs are folded into proximity with the corresponding edges of the table, the unit will have an appearance somewhat asshown in FIG. 3 and will be readily adaptable to be unfolded asneeded for the intended purpose.

When combined with the conventional card or bridge table having folding legs, the article of the present invention is easily storable along with the table since the flexible, net-like construction will follow the relative foldability of the legs. When re-erected by unfolding the legs in sequence, the network 30 will rapidly span the distance between adjacent corner legs defining, when the table is inverted and in combinationwith the platform 19a, an

operrended enclosure as shown in FIG. 2..

,In another embodiment of the present invention, it is envisioned that the unit 11 would be utilized in combinationnot only with-a bridge table, but also with a pad-like protector element 40 of rectangular contour having, at

each corner 31, a connected linear strap or tape 32.

equipped with a snap engagement 33 adapted to engage a mating snap fastener also located in each corner of the protective cover 40. With this arrangement, each strap 32' would encircle or engage either the proximate leg or the proximate strands 11:! or both and thereupon secure the rectangular pad 40. firmly in the manner shown inFIG. 2 to thereby protect the playing surface from scratching which might be expected in use. The pad 40. can be made.

of cloth, canvass, plastic sheeting or almost any flexible material. It could also include a softer inner lining for further protection of the playing surface.

The unit is unique in that a conventional tablemay easily be converted into a playpen or a similar restraining I device. Where flexible materials of fabrication are used,

the invention is particularly unique in combination with cylindrical member formed of flexible material, said memher having at least one; open end, a plurality of elements secured about the open end of said member, said elements being located for engaging the ends of said legs, said Web-like flexible material, said member having one open' end, means onsaid open end constructed and arranged to engage the ends of said legs, said body member telescopically receiving said table with the planar end thereof located opposite said open end with said means engaging the legs, whereby said body defines a fence encircling said leg and means for, holdingsaid flexible material in tension.

the foldable ,card tables of the type commonly found 1 in most households. Furthermore, the unit is adapted to be conveniently marketed as a kit for converting the several standard sized card tables to playpens. Since these are found in most. households, the user need only carry the kit itself and thus avoid the trouble of transporting s the table or the known playpen.

It is also possible within the purview of the present invention to have the unit 11 in the form of a cylinder. of

which one end is closed and one end open, This construc-v tionfcanbe employed with standard sized bridge tables, obviating the necessity of the draw string cinching arrangement. It will be appreciated, of course, that greater care has to be taken in its manufacture, particularly as to dimensions, in order to have a tight fit about the legs.

I of claim 3.

Any sagging of the net-like wall between the legs due to improper dimensioning is undesirable. Of course, the form of construction just described can be modified to also include a draw string for looping through the openings in the net in a circular path, permitting tightening in a similar manner as described in the net-like construction having both ends open.

It will be appreciated that the unitll may be fabricated of several sizes to meetthe standard card or bridge table sizes as well as the larger or giant type. Furthermore, the tables on the market today embrace rectangular, square and circular types. In such case, the draw strings 21 may be preferably formed of an elastic material, e.g., an endless elastic cord, in order to more uniformly hold the one end of the unit 11 in a constrictive manner.

It willalso be appreciated that the snood-like leg engaging elementle may be fabricated or designed. in a variety of ways depending upon the contour of the particular leg construction of the table. be added to a numberof locations to meet the particular service requirement Frequently, it is desirable to secure the net-like array 11 about the legs of the tableand this is accomplished by employing a spiral type snubber 60, forfexample, which can be located vertically midwaybetween the terminus of the leg and its joinder with the platform portion of the table.

While I have disclosed several preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the construction herein disclosed may be modified in certain particulars without departing from the spirit'and scope.

of the present invention and, consequently, itis intended to include all suchobvious modifications and variations within the scope of the present invention unless specifically delimitedby the scope of the appendedclaims.

I claim: 1. An article of manufacture forconverting a legged table to an enclosure, said article comprising a generally Reinforcements may 3. An article of manufacture for converting a multilegged table to an enclosure, said article comprising a generally cylindrical member formedzofweb-like, flexible material, said member being open at least at one end, a plurality of elements secured to the open end of said cylindrical segment, said elements being selectively located for j engaging the ends of said legs, means on. the, other end of said member providing securement to the planar part of the table, said article being thereby adapted to receive said multi-legged table with one end secured to the planar part and the other end spanning the distance betweensaid legs with the elements engaging, said ends of. the legs. and thereby defining a fence-like enclosure when said tabl'elis posi-. tioned with legs extending upwardly and meansfor hold ing said web-likematerial in tension.

4. In combination, a multi-legged table and the article 5. A conversion 'kit for transforming a table having a plurality of depending legsinto an open-topped enclosure, said kit including a principalbody member of generally cylindrical contour, said member being formed of net-like flexible material, first means on one endof said member constructed and arranged to engage the ends of said legs, second means on theopposite end for engaging the planar portion of said table, said body member telescopically re- Ceiving said table and its connected'legs with the first means engaging said table leg ends and said second means engaging said planar portion, whereby inverted positioning of said table with the legs extending upwardly will describe a fence-like enclosure composed of a net-like wall. I

6. An article of manufacture for converting a table to a playpen, said tablehaving a platform and a plurality of depending legs foldably connected to said platform, said article comprisinga generally cylindrical net-like and flexible body, having opposed open ends, elements constructed and arranged on an open end for engaging the ends of said legs, and cinch means about the opposite end adapted to restrict said opposite end to a diameter less than its normal diameter, said body being adapted to telescopically receive said table with legs extended, whereby engagement of said elements with said leg ends and cinching of said cinch means over the platform causes said'body to snugly embrace said table and legs defining a fence-like enclosure.

7. In combination, a table with relatively foldable legs connected thereto, and the article of claim 6.

8. The article as claimed in claim 1 which includes a cushioning pad means adapted to underlie the table in its inverted position and fastening means afiixed to the margin,- thereof adapted to engage the legs holding said pad means snugly against the table surface. I r r 9. In combination, a tableihaving'a plurality-ofconnected'normally extending legs, and the article as claimed in'claim 8.

10. An article of manufacture for converting a multilegged table to a pen for confining a baby or the like, said article comprising a generally cylindrical member formed of web-like flexible sheet material, said segment being open at both ends, one end being provided with a draw string means permitting the constricting of said one end to a circumference less than the perimeter of said tables planar surface, and a plurality of Snood-like elements secured to the opposite end of said cylindrical member, said elements being selectively located for receiving the ends of said legs, said article being thereby adapted to telescopically receive said multi-legged table with one end cinched over the planar surface and the other end spanning the distance between said legs with the elements en- 6 gaging said ends of the legs and defining a fence-like enclosure when said table is positioned in inverted relationship.

11. In combination, a multi-legged table and the article of claim 1.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,590,315 3/52 Hawley 593 2,653,330 9/53 Nolan 5-94 2,873,458 2/59 Adamson 5-98 2,958,084 11/60 Kcnney 598 FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. 

1. AN ARTICLE OF MANUFACTURE FOR CONVERTING A LEGGED TABLE TO AN ENCLOSURE, SAID ARTICLE COMPRISING A GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL MEMBER FORMED OF FLEXIBLE MATERIAL, SAID MEMBER HAVING AT LEAST ONE OPEN END, A PLURALITY OF ELEMENTS SECURED ABOUT THE OPEN END OF SAID MEMBER, SAID ELEMENTS BEING LOCATED FOR ENGAGING THE ENDS OF SAID LEGS, SAID ARTICLE TELESCOPICALLY RECEIVING SAID TABLE WITH SAID ELEMENTS ENGAGING SAID ENDS OF SAID LEGS WITH THE CYLINDRICAL FLEXIBLE MATERIAL DEFINING A FENCE-LIKE ENCLOSURE WHEN THE TABLE IS LOCATED IN INVERTED RELATIONSHIP AND MEANS FOR HOLDING SAID FLEXIBLE MATERIAL IN TENSION. 